tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57636264695033271612018-03-05T08:43:48.183-08:00Preston Andrew in SwedenFollow Andy on his mission through letters and photos. July 10, 2013:
The adventure begins!!Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-90276633753020598642014-03-03T09:32:00.000-08:002014-03-03T09:32:07.160-08:00Sad News, Aldste Bailey serving in Vasteras struck and killed by car.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">One of Aldste Ward's missionary brothers has passed away. &nbsp;Our thoughts and prayers are with the family right now and with all the Swedish missionaries serving now. &nbsp;Aldste Ward was in the MTC with him and knew him fairly well. &nbsp;He said he was one of the best missionaries and a great guy. &nbsp;Such a shock but what a blessing to have the knowledge of the gospel and know that he is just continuing his mission beyond the veil. &nbsp;Many prayers of comfort and blessings to his family.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Aldste Ward said:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Some sad news that have happened in the mission. &nbsp;An elder here in Sweden who was in the MTC with me was hit by a car last night and killed. &nbsp;Elder Bailey is a really great guy and that is so sad for his family. &nbsp;He really was a great missionary and I am sure he will continue his work on the other side. &nbsp;I was with him for a mission leadership conference we had this week and me and my MTC companion and Elder Bailey got a picture together there after the meeting. &nbsp;Please keep those families in your prayers this week. &nbsp;<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o3_yqLs-r4Y/UxS64h8iyLI/AAAAAAAAIGc/fJE19AkfWv4/s1600/Elder+Bailey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o3_yqLs-r4Y/UxS64h8iyLI/AAAAAAAAIGc/fJE19AkfWv4/s1600/Elder+Bailey.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aldste Ward, Aldste Bailey, Aldste Lundquist at a leadership conference this week.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-44856170491454201192014-03-03T09:19:00.001-08:002014-03-03T09:19:47.669-08:00March 1, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Family,</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was a pretty good week. &nbsp;Some people we were working with are J, from Cuba. &nbsp;He has a lot of interesting thoughts about religion but loves to talk to the missionaries! &nbsp;Also there are two ladies from Ghana who we have been teaching. &nbsp;There names are L and B and they are religious but don't really want to read the Book of Mormon. &nbsp;They are nice. &nbsp;Also there is a young couple who the wife broke her foot and they have a puppy who always wants to be out so we got to take it on a walk this week and we hope to help out and take it on more walks when we're in the area haha. &nbsp;L is a Swedish guy who is progressing relatively well and actually came and checked out the church this week and we gave him a little tour of it and so he got to see it. &nbsp;We hope he will come to sacrament next week! &nbsp;One more guy who we have been working with is T. &nbsp;He has been investigating the church for a long time (his wife is a member) but is really nice and is reading the Book of Mormon now, which is really exciting. &nbsp;Those are some of the people we got to meet with during the week.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Also some other news from the week was that we got two more assistants to the President this week so they will be living in the mission office where Elder Held and I had been living but they decided that 8 people was too much for one apartment so we will be living in a different part of Stockholm actually really close to the temple (one train stop away) but it is a long trip back to Täby everyday, about an hour. &nbsp;They are hoping it will be a short time until the new apartment is ready near Täby Centrum for us to move in, but they have been waiting on it since we first got here at the beginning of last month! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But to answer your questions the weather here this week has been pretty boring actually. &nbsp;It has been cloudy and a little rainy and then even snowed last night a little bit. &nbsp;I haven't been able to go to the temple yet, it is closed on mondays so we can't go for on p-day. &nbsp;The language is coming along very well actually. &nbsp;It is sometimes hard to understand everything if you can't ask questions to clarify or if you are tired and can't focus but most the time I can understand! &nbsp;I also received some nice compliments about the language this week, including a lady that said that I sound Swedish it just takes a little more time for the words to come out hahaha. &nbsp;I am so grateful that I have been blessed to at least sound ok sometimes! &nbsp;My favorite area that I have been to so far is hard to answer. &nbsp;But I would probably say Västra Frölunda in Göteborg. &nbsp;The missionary work there was great, I was there in a nice part of the year, the ward is nice, my companion was great (well I am happy to have been with all my companions everywhere I've gone), and the area is really neat in central Göteborg! &nbsp;But I have been to some fun places, and I am sure that each one would be absolutely beautiful to visit in the summer. &nbsp;Each really has some really cool things about it. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I am glad to hear that you all had such a great week. &nbsp;Fun that it was the best ski day that Dad has ever had up at Beaver Mountain and that everyone else thought it was awesome too! And fun that you got to go to the Bluebird with everyone and then visit Grandma and Grandpa Jorgy and Jared. &nbsp;Also exciting that Mom you got a new calling in the Young Women's, that will be fun to be with Abby! &nbsp;How was it to see all the "Swedish missionary moms"? That sounds like it would be pretty fun to meet all of them. &nbsp;The picture you sent looks like you are sitting next to a sister in my MTC group because she looks like her haha! &nbsp;But good luck Estee with your piano lessons, you will love it! &nbsp;Also have fun at Disney on Ice! &nbsp;Jake keep it up with skiing and basketball! &nbsp;How tall are you now? Abby great work with school and good luck on the ACT! &nbsp;You will do such a great job! &nbsp;Also Mom and Dad enjoy your trip to Hawaii! &nbsp;I am jealous!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was able to do some more family history this week, but I will have to tell you all about that next week because I am out of time haha. But I love you all so much and hope you have a great week! &nbsp;I miss you and hope you know that you are in my prayers! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love, Äldste Andy Ward</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-24855800795276198652014-03-03T09:08:00.000-08:002014-03-03T09:08:26.616-08:00February 24, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hey Guys!</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was another good week in Täby. &nbsp;The weather was generally a little bit nicer, so we got to see the sun out a few times. &nbsp;It seems like it is pretty windy in Stockholm and so a clear day can quickly change into a cloudy one and then back and then cloudy again. &nbsp;But a little about my week:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Monday- was a pretty good p-day. &nbsp;Got to go play some basketball at a chapel on the other side of Stockholm. &nbsp;It was fun, I always love to play basketball! &nbsp;Didn't get to teach anyone though. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Tuesday- following the family's pattern, I got sick! &nbsp;I have been so blessed on my mission that I haven't been sick at all until last Tuesday. &nbsp;We still went and tried to swing by some old investigators without much luck. &nbsp;But it was good to go over to that part of the area where we hadn't been before.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Wednesday- &nbsp;We are at the church every Wednesday and Friday to have the chapel open for people to come in who are interested. &nbsp;We also do family history, so on Wednesday's a lady comes and does it and then a member is there to help out as well. &nbsp;But I was also able to do some family history this week actually and I found out that Ezra Taft Benson, one of our ancestors (my great, great, great grandpa, on Dad's side, was the 20th apostle called in this dispensation and built apparently an amazing and beautiful house across the street from Temple Square, where the Zion's bank head offices are, directly south from the Joseph Smith building! &nbsp;It was pretty cool to find that out. &nbsp;I also found out that his son Frank Andrus Benson, had a house in Logan across the street from I think Logan High. &nbsp;He married Amanda Charlotta Eliason, who had immigrated with her parents, Anders Eliason Jr and Hedvig Carlson from Sweden! &nbsp;They are the other connection I have found to Sweden and they are from a place close to Göteborg, called Alingsås. &nbsp;I have actually been doing work for their ancestors, not anything too exciting but fixing a few of the errors that were in the website, and looking through old Swedish 1700's church records for information. &nbsp;I can not read what they say most of the time but the nice member who comes can translate into normal Swedish for me :) &nbsp;I also read a little about Earl Eric Holmstead and how great an athlete he was. &nbsp;Apparently he was very good at baseball and had scouts showing interest but decided to not play professionally. &nbsp;However the gloves were thinner those days so his hands got a little curved from catching those hard pitches again and again and so he couldn't flex his fingers out all the way when he was older and they mentioned that it was funny when he was a teacher and would point to have one of the students answer they wouldn't know who he was pointing at! &nbsp;And one more thing, about Hans Jorgensen now. &nbsp;He was introduced to the gospel by his son who had just shortly heard it from Erastus Snow, one of our ancestors on Dad's side! &nbsp;But yea it is exciting to find all the neat things about our ancestors! &nbsp;To wrap up Wednesday we went and did a little family home evening with a family of 3, a mom, son, and daughter from Iran. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Thursday we went and visited this old lady, who lived on the 14th floor of a building. &nbsp;Also went and tried to swing by some people and talk to people on the way, then went to ward council and talked a little about the missionary work here.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Friday We had district meeting before we went to the church. &nbsp;It was my first district meeting that I taught and I was a little nervous but I actually think it turned out pretty well. &nbsp;We talked about the many characteristics that Ammon had as a missionary. &nbsp;There were a lot mentioned in the scriptures! &nbsp;We were at the church again on Friday and I did a little more of the family history stuff I talked about earlier and then after the church time we started our way over to a less-active member's house in the rain and talked to this one weird guy for like half an hour, but he wasn't really interested in learning, just discussing. &nbsp;We visited this lady and that was nice and then she gave us this yummy Swedish treat called a Semla. &nbsp;It is like a roll with almond cream and then sugar on top and I didn't think I would like them too much because of the cream but they are actually pretty good. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Saturday we spent the day around this one street and visited a few investigators, including J and then an African family, and a couple of members living over there and also was able to meet a few people on the street. &nbsp;One was an older lady who said that her son actually rents out his apartment in Stockholm somewhere to 2 missionaries! &nbsp;It was a funny little coincidence and then another one when we ran into her later that day! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sunday- had church and President Newell wasn't there but Syster Newell was! &nbsp;So I got to say hi to her. &nbsp;The joke with the missionaries here is that President is a less active member in his own ward here. &nbsp; Also yesterday got to teach another investigator named Leif, who we are trying to get to pray everyday and then come and see what church is like.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But that was pretty much my week! &nbsp;It started off not so great since I was sick for the first few days but then I think we were able to salvage it haha. &nbsp;It actually snowed here this week and we had snow for 2 days and then the snow turned to rain and now there is less snow than there was before haha. &nbsp;But that is so exciting about each of your weeks! &nbsp;It is neat that we now have a pet jaguar :) &nbsp;and that skiing was great, &nbsp;Abby had a fun dance, and a fun after party at our house and that is too bad that Jake got sick :( &nbsp;but at least he got one day of skiing in, and Estee is becoming an amazing skier! &nbsp;I can't believe it is almost March! &nbsp;Where has the past year gone!? &nbsp;It doesn't feel like it has been too long since I was sitting watching March Madness without my wisdom teeth! &nbsp;And Dad yes I remember having a great time at Red Robin with you and sometimes Jake and how fun that would be with all that great food! &nbsp;Abby how are all your intense AP classes going? &nbsp;Is it hard to keep up with all of them? &nbsp;How is Calculus? Oh and last week I forgot to tell Estee thanks for her beautiful picture she sent me, I love it!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Thank you guys for being the wonderful parents and family you are! &nbsp;You guys really are the best and I can't imagine a better family! I miss you and love you so much! Have a great week!&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Andy Ward</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-83495740264425009872014-03-03T09:01:00.001-08:002014-03-03T09:01:44.077-08:00February 17, 2014Dear Family,<br /><div><br /></div><div>This week was a pretty good first full week in Täby! &nbsp;I did get your Valentine's package and I loved it! &nbsp;Thanks so much! &nbsp;You guys are the best! &nbsp;I really liked the one that Estee did that tricked me! &nbsp;It said like I love you, look on other side or something like that and then you turn it around and it says ha ha ha ha. &nbsp;She is a trickster! &nbsp;Also thanks for the pics of that one guy from Utah State with the best red flat top of all time! &nbsp;So funny! &nbsp;I also loved to see all the different pictures of you guys and the Bugs Bunny quotes were pretty good too :) &nbsp;I am still in the process of looking up all the scriptures on them. &nbsp;Also I appreciated the nice comments that Abby and Jake wrote too like "I brag about you to all my friends" and "I miss going skiing with you" &nbsp;I sure am grateful for my family!</div><div><br /></div><div>Some highlights from this week were that we taught this cool guy named J who is from Cuba and we will see how interested he is in progressing. &nbsp;He is a really nice guy who knows all these different languages and loves to talk to us. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know if I have told you guys this but we are doing an open church thing in the mission where they want the doors to be unlocked and open so that people walking by and feel free to come in if they want. &nbsp;On Wednesday we did that and then also had scheduled this lady named Anne-Kristin to come and do some family history work with another member. &nbsp;I think she really liked it building her family tree on the website. &nbsp;Also the member there was a nice older lady and she was having me look up information on our ancestors (the one's from Alingsås, who are related to the Bensen line) &nbsp;on this one program which had pictures of really old Swedish records so we were able to find a few names on there but they were already on the website. &nbsp;Basically a large amount of family history work has been done for me! &nbsp;Oh and also on the subject of family history I found out that Hans Jorgensen, our ancestor who gives us the Jorgensen name, is from Ödense, Denmark which is where Elder Held comes from! &nbsp;It is kinda a funny coincidence.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>We also had a zone training this week where I got to meet everyone in the Stockholm zone which was pretty cool. &nbsp;It was pretty nice not to have to travel five hours to get to the center point of the zone like it was up in Luleå! After we went to a Chinese buffet place for lunch that was delicious :) &nbsp;It is still funny to me that here there are never free refills! &nbsp;Still it was pretty good. &nbsp;On the way back we got to through the Stockholm subway system which is so nice. &nbsp;They have so many underground tunnels and the whole city pretty much runs on them. &nbsp;It kinda reminds me of that time in Washington DC when we all went on the train system there with all our luggage and how hot it was hahaha. &nbsp;When I was transferring up to Luleå I had to go on these with all my bags and it is kinda a pain but with only a backpack they aren't so bad to go on. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday we had a FHE with one of the families in the ward. &nbsp;We taught a lesson about communication with God through prayer and the scriptures. &nbsp;To help illustrate this we played a game where there are 3 people and one is like the detective and is interrogating another person (the witness) sitting in a chair in front of him. The third person is standing behind the detective and has to act out what the answers are to the detective's questions. &nbsp;A murder has happened and the witness saw it, so the detective asks where it happened, with what, and who. &nbsp;The witness has to guess what the third person is trying to tell them to tell the detective. &nbsp;It is a pretty fun game that went well. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather here in Stockholm has been pretty boring weather. &nbsp;Around 32 degrees everyday and then always cloudy...also rainy every few days. &nbsp;The trees still all look dead and so it doesn't look very pretty out yet. &nbsp;The winters here aren't my favorite, kinda reminds me of Michigan actually. &nbsp;Just long, but not much snow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dad, I am glad that you are feeling better finally. &nbsp;I have been especially praying this week that you get better so I am glad that it happened! &nbsp;Also I actually could read your letter quite well. &nbsp;That is a pretty neat app I think. &nbsp;Hopefully the stylus think starts working better! &nbsp;But I am enjoying the new ward. &nbsp;It isn't too big but it is large for Sweden and it is a nice place. &nbsp;It was the same building where they did the first day orientation stuff and so for a while I couldn't shake the feeling that it was like a place of excitement and some anxiety for where my first area was going to be. &nbsp;It seems to me that the Youth are pretty much the same here that they are back home. &nbsp;Maybe not quite as many in numbers, but they are all nice. &nbsp;There are a few Americans in the ward that are here for work too including our ward mission leader who works for Abbot I think, that one company that makes drugs and other medical stuff.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><div class="gmail_extra"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Oh and President Newell being in the same ward as me is very intimidating, at least to me haha. &nbsp;He is a very nice and loving man, but actually he hasn't been to church yet while I have been there. &nbsp;Apparently he travels around a lot to go visit the different wards, so that puts less pressure on me! &nbsp;</span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But I really like being with Elder Held. &nbsp;He is just a nice guy and wants to go work hard and be his best! &nbsp;He has been getting me a little more excited to lift weights when I get home, and he has been teaching me some Danish. &nbsp;Danish pronunciation is crazy! &nbsp;It sounds like a bunch of primitive vowels and groans put into a language! &nbsp;But I have been trying to say a few things and it doesn't sound Danish at all. &nbsp;It is funny because when we talk to people sometimes his accent is too strong for them to understand what he is saying in Swedish even though I think he is a lot better at Swedish than me because a lot of the vocab is the same in Danish and in Swedish. &nbsp;But his family are all members and his plans after the mission are schooling. &nbsp;He says that he really likes astronomy but also physics, chemistry and biology. &nbsp;I told him he should think about a doctor because if I remember right those are pretty much all the main categories of the MCAT haha.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is cool that you could go to Jake's farewell talk. &nbsp;That is good that he is excited to leave to Chicago! &nbsp;What a great place! &nbsp;I think Chicago is one of my favorite big cities. &nbsp;Also I will have to see how Aaron is doing. &nbsp;He didn't leave much longer after I did. &nbsp;I have seen Elder Lambson around every once in a while, and he is fun to see and talk with. &nbsp;I think he is actually training a missionary right now.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mom, that is too bad that you are feeling sick. &nbsp;I will have to pray especially for that this week instead of Dad's sickness! &nbsp;I hope that you feel better soon :) &nbsp;Also I am glad that it was fun to go to Estee's class this week to help with the party! &nbsp;And way to go helping Dad run the office and stuff! &nbsp;Sounds busy as usual.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Abby- It sounds like school is always ridiculously busy but I hope you're enjoying it! &nbsp;I'm sure you are! &nbsp;Have fun at your dance this week, which dance is it? &nbsp;I am happy that it was fun to go to that concert with Dad and that fancy restaurant and test drive the Jaguar! &nbsp;Keep being the great person you are!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jake- &nbsp;Hope you had fun skiing today! &nbsp;I miss going skiing with you too! &nbsp;When I come back we will go a ton and you will probably be better than I am. &nbsp;You will need to teach me all the cool jumps that you will be able to do! &nbsp;haha I also think that those Michigan pants are awesome that you made! &nbsp;Have a great week!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Estee- &nbsp;How was your Valentine Day party with Mom there!? &nbsp;Was it really fun? &nbsp;Is your lego class still fun? &nbsp;Are you going on lots of play dates? &nbsp;Do you like your new school still? &nbsp;I really liked your hearts that you sent :) &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Well hope you all have a great week! &nbsp;You are all in my prayers and I love you sooo much! &nbsp;Sorry that this email is a little long...</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward/ Andy&nbsp;</div></div></div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-61966528475996631742014-03-03T08:30:00.000-08:002014-03-03T08:30:26.231-08:00February 10, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Mom, Dad, Abby, Jake and Estee,</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It sounds like it was a typical busy week for all of you! &nbsp;The transfer went great and my new companion is really great. &nbsp;I think I told you he is Danish, so that is pretty cool and then I also found out he won the Danish junior weightlifting competition or something. &nbsp;So far I have really enjoyed working with him and I think we are going to get a lot of work done. &nbsp; And yes I am the district leader for the area now so pretty exciting I guess! &nbsp;And no we didn't see the northern lights my last night in Boden sadly. &nbsp; We did get to walk on the ice on the Luleå river that flows into the ocean and it was pretty neat. &nbsp;For my last Monday there the Branch President, David Newell (son of the mission president) invited us over for dinner with their family and then on Tuesday another American living up here for work for a bit took us out to dinner so my last few days in Boden/Luleå were spent well :) &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We had no idea the olympics were going on but good that Sweden is doing good! &nbsp;Go Sweden and US! &nbsp;I do remember watching them when I was little. &nbsp;Always so exciting to be cheering for the US athletes I hope all my siblings like it too! :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Good that Estee has been having fun with friends and that she was so advanced in her lego engineering class! &nbsp;That is really funny that the teacher could apparently tell that Estee had done it before because she was so smart basically :) &nbsp;I also really liked her picture that she drew at church! &nbsp;So funny :) Keep up the great work Estee! &nbsp;I love and miss you! :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And nice that Jake had a blast skiing in great powder and that he has been having fun with friends! &nbsp;I hope basketball is still really fun! &nbsp;I love and miss ya!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Well good news that Abby has continued to do great in her busy life but too bad she had those 3 cavities that caused anxiety for her! haha I hope all is well and she is still on path to destroy my ACT score and all her AP tests! &nbsp;How is ole McDonald treating you? &nbsp;I love you and miss you!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Well a little about Täby. &nbsp;It is a very nice area. &nbsp;Like nicest houses in Sweden that I have seen. &nbsp;(even though they houses aren't even as nice as one's that you see all around town but houses here are just so expensive and everyone lives in apartments so you can tell that it is one of the richer areas. &nbsp; This was a little harder week because there aren't really any investigators yet who we are working with so we have been swinging by old investigators and talking to everyone along the way and trying to find people who are interested! &nbsp;I haven't ever talked to this many people before so we are working out how to get better and better but it has been really good already. &nbsp;Täby is a little north of Stockholm but the train public transportation system is way good here so it isn't a long trip to central Stockholm! &nbsp;Also we have gone through Täby Centrum (like downtown Täby) a few times and it has a really nice mall there which is neat. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But a cool little story I could share is last night we were walking home and we wanted to try to talk to 2 more people to reach our goal for number of people we talk to. &nbsp;We were about 2 blocks from home and said a prayer to try to find 2 more people. &nbsp;After that we tried walking a longer way home but didn't see anyone so we decided to knock a door and they said they weren't interested so we kept walking and were almost home when we saw a lady at the bus stop across the street from our house and then as we got closer another lady was crossing the street and so she came across and we talked to her and it turns out she was friends with the lady who we had seen sitting at the bus stop and we talked to both of them and the one who had been walking across the street was pretty interested and asked what we believe in and stuff and so we were able to teach her about the Book of Mormon and pray! &nbsp;It was really cool to see that our prayer was answered.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Well I love you all so much and miss you and hope you have a great week! &nbsp;You all are in my prayers!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward/ Andy</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-43408713173059323122014-03-03T08:21:00.000-08:002014-03-03T08:21:29.977-08:00February 3, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Family,</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Great to hear that you are all busy and doing well! &nbsp;You will all still be in my prayers with all you are doing! &nbsp;This week was a fun last one in Boden in the Luleå branch. &nbsp;President did call me and "confirmed" the transfer plans and I will be going down to Täby this Tuesday and Elder Clawson will be getting a new missionary to train. &nbsp;I am excited, but of course a little sad to leave this neat place in the far north. &nbsp;I still haven't seen any northern lights so pray that they will come out tonight! haha. &nbsp;My new companion will be Elder Held, and he is from Denmark. &nbsp;I will also be living in the mission office with the secretaries and the assistants to the president, and actually the new secretary is Elder Ogaard, my old companion from Karlskrona. &nbsp;We will only be living there until they get our apartment ready in the area (they had to just buy a new one). &nbsp;I think Täby will be a really cool area to be at (just like my other ones have been) and living in Stockholm will be great. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was a fun one because we got news that somehow the car had no oil pressure in the engine and it will take 3-4 weeks to fix...We were a little sad that the car will be out of commission for so long in a city where there are basically no buses. &nbsp;So we have been walking around everywhere and luckily it hasn't been too cold of a week as well. &nbsp;The farthest walk we had to go was about 5 kilometers to go visit our investigator, T. &nbsp;However we have been taking buses to get to Luleå and back for church and such. &nbsp;But I think I will do a little review of our week day by day:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Monday- P-day and the car broke and we had a good p-day and then spent the rest of the day getting home and having dinner...not very eventful.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Tuesday- every Tuesday we do this open church thing where we are at the church and have it open for people that maybe walk in and are interested. &nbsp;That takes almost all day but we were able to go by this one really nice guy in the branch who has autism, and so socially it is hard for him sometimes and so we have permission to play video games with him! (and don't worry we've only gone over there twice haha) We went by him and played some wii and then nothing else eventful that day. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Wednesday- &nbsp;we went and taught this old guy who has been taught for a while named L, hopefully he can soon realize the truthfulness of our message. &nbsp;We also taught a less-active couple, who because they both have Asbergers they don't really like all the social interaction at church, so hard for them to come. &nbsp;Also walked to T's and taught him and he said that he must drive us home because his car should work because it wasn't too far to drive. Moral of story though is that it was like the craziest drive of our lives hahaha. &nbsp;T is an old guy and it was like driving in one of those cartoons where all these crazy things are about to run into the car or something but the car just barely avoids it all, like a Donald Duck cartoon or something hahaha. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Thursday- We were going to go on a 3 hour bus ride to go help a family in the branch deep clean their house, but they said actually it would be done by the time we got there....so we didn't end up going and through together a district meeting. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Friday- &nbsp;We went and tried to find this one investigator but we couldn't. &nbsp;Also walked to go visit another old investigator and found him and taught him and scheduled a time to come back and visit him next week. &nbsp;Also taught our good friend O, who lived in the same apartment building.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Saturday- Again tried to look for this investigator. &nbsp;Went and swung by some other peoples homes, taught Sidney, who is progressing well and that was all that was eventful.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sunday- &nbsp;Went to church and it was good. &nbsp;Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon in French with O before church and also got invited to dinner by the Phillip's. &nbsp;They are both American and just with his job had to move to Sweden for a few years. &nbsp;He is from Taylorsville and she is actually from Cottonwood Heights and went to Brighton! &nbsp;Apparently her sister was a senior when I was a sophomore...small world. &nbsp;They were really nice and then we came back and went and taught this one guy named B with his friend, Brother Dahlqvist, who is a member. &nbsp;We taught the Plan of Salvation because B's dad is dying right now. &nbsp;And that was our week!&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Also I have been wanting to get better with talking to people wherever I go and on the street so I was thinking while we were walking on Friday and I thought that maybe I can just start saying hi to everyone. &nbsp;I said hi to this man that was the first person I saw after this and he proceeded to ask all sorts of questions about the church and we told him, and he was talking so fast that he said goodbye before he would give him a card or anything! &nbsp;I thought it was a cool experience and clearly not a coincidence! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I have found a copy of Parley P. Pratt's autobiography in the apartment and finished it this week. &nbsp;It is an amazing book about a great man. &nbsp;Parley Pratt was one of the 12 apostles and served like 25 years of missions of his life (he only lived to the age 50!), he was imprisoned with Joseph Smith in Missouri and had many different experiences in his life. &nbsp;I just think that you guys should read it if you ever get the chance. &nbsp;I learned so much from reading it!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is great that Jed got baptized this week. &nbsp;Great for him! &nbsp;And that was lucky to avoid that 29 car pileup too! &nbsp;Also I am glad to hear that Estee is enjoying her busy schedule and Jake as well (except maybe a little more skiing involved :) ) Also congrats on the basketball win and great play by Jake! Oh and me and Elder Clawson both think that engineering with legos sounds like the coolest class ever. &nbsp;Estee will have to send some pictures! &nbsp;Also good to hear Abby is still busy :) and that she is going to the dance with Chris and has made a new friend in the ward! &nbsp;I guess she knows exactly how hard it is to move to a new ward :) how nice of her. &nbsp;Mom, keep up the great work holding everyone's worlds together hahaha. &nbsp;I'm sure you're used to the busyness! &nbsp;Dad, I hope you feel better and hope that work doesn't get too stressful :) &nbsp;Hope you start to feel better. &nbsp;And yes I remember those terrible sores I got! &nbsp;That was terrible hahaha. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And in case I don't get the chance to email Grandpa for all the nice things he sent me (a christmas package, emails, etc) thank him for me! &nbsp;I love him! &nbsp;Also any word for Jake Christensen's email? &nbsp;Maybe Abby can sneak to our old ward some Sunday and get it hehehe :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love you all so much and miss you and am so excited for all the things you are doing! &nbsp;You're in my prayers always and have a great week!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Elder Ward/ Andy</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-63317650309140860692014-02-13T15:37:00.002-08:002014-03-03T08:11:19.528-08:00February 8, 2014<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Dear Brother &amp; Sister Ward,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">We are writing to express our appreciation for your son, Äldste Preston Ward. Äldste Ward has been assigned to serve as a District Leader in the Täby I area of the Sweden Stockholm Mission. He is a wonderful and well prepared missionary, and this added responsibility will be a blessing to him and to the mission.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">May the Lord bless you and yours.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;"></div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify;">With respect and kind regards,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Brush Script MT; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Gregory J. Newell</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Gregory J. Newell, President</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">SWEDEN STOCKHOLM MISSION</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-86696984612091972642014-02-13T15:33:00.002-08:002014-02-13T15:33:59.218-08:00Boden, Sweden<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zK3-sal_GXg/Uv1UJei9bgI/AAAAAAAAIFM/zAOfYFw3yZI/s1600/DSCN2206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zK3-sal_GXg/Uv1UJei9bgI/AAAAAAAAIFM/zAOfYFw3yZI/s1600/DSCN2206.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bridge in chilly Boden, Sweden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5vcJgyOjpo/Uv1UJigF5II/AAAAAAAAIFE/7b1vApBalAc/s1600/DSCN2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5vcJgyOjpo/Uv1UJigF5II/AAAAAAAAIFE/7b1vApBalAc/s1600/DSCN2236.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aldste Ward with a recent convert.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-86896090365422167992014-02-13T14:11:00.000-08:002014-02-13T14:11:56.755-08:00January 27, 2014<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Fam,<div><br /></div><div>This week was a pretty good one. &nbsp;Not too cold if I remember right, but just decently cold hahaha (like average around -20 celsius). &nbsp;I don't think the cold will bother me too much after this winter up here! &nbsp;But first off I forgot to mention last week that we had a zone training (around 2 weeks ago now) and President Newell interviewed me then and thanked me for the card that you guys sent him and that he really enjoyed it. &nbsp;Also he told me that Elder Clawson will be training next transfer and he felt that he should stay here so I will be transferring again! And if all goes as planned I will be going to an area in northern Stockholm called Täby. &nbsp;It is where the mission office is and they want missionaries there to serve it full time because the office elders are busy doing stuff for the mission a lot so don't get normal proselyting time, so he said that I will be opening up the area for full time missionary work. &nbsp;This ward is where President and Sister Newell go to and also it apparently is a wealthier area. &nbsp;But all this is pending on if they can find an apartment which is hard in Stockholm, so we will see if I go there or not. &nbsp;Transfer calls are this Saturday and then next Wednesday would be when I leave dear Boden. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>But I thought that I could tell some cool stories that I have noticed around me. &nbsp;The first was when I went to Umeå for splits. &nbsp;We stopped in this one building to do some tracting and visit some potential investigators (people they had met previously that said they might be interested in learning more) they had met and then I saw on the list of people living in that complex a guy who's name seemed familar, E. &nbsp;Well when I came back up to Boden I was just looking through the phone for a number and saw a contact named E who was an old investigator in Luleå a few years ago. &nbsp;I thought it was a neat little coincidence that we just happened to go into his building in Umeå and that I recognized his name. &nbsp;But we gave his contact information to the Umeå elders and they went and talked to him and he didn't seem amazingly prepared but we will see in the future. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Also another little coincidence I had was also while I was in Umeå. &nbsp;We went and tried to teach this one African guy named A. &nbsp;He lived in a weird student housing thing so there were doorbells to every room and he wasn't answering his so the elder I was with rang every single doorbell to try to see if any of them in there knew him and the last bell a girl answered and said I don't know who he is but I will go check the kitchen to see if anyone else does. &nbsp;Well he was there in the kitchen and we taught him the first lesson and it went well and I didn't really think much more of it. &nbsp;However the next time the Umeå elders went and taught him a girl came in and said oh I really like the mormon religion and was going to join but I still drink hot drinks so I can't. &nbsp;And they asked what drinks she drinks and she said hot chocolate! &nbsp;They said that was perfectly fine and she wanted to come to church and they have been teaching her and yesterday was her first time at church and after church next Sunday she is going to be baptized! &nbsp;Also they were inviting A to come to church but he was saying that he couldn't because he worked until&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1802343048" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4 AM</span></span>&nbsp;and then had to work again on Sunday at 4 PM so he needed to sleep. &nbsp;But when he said that the girl said well I work the same shift but I'll come! &nbsp;It's church! &nbsp;It was crazy how if we would have just given up ringing the doorbells that one day to find A this girl would have never been found! &nbsp;It is neat to see the different ways the Spirit guides us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another one was this week we were looking out in this one town for an old investigator who seemed very positive but just disappeared off the map. &nbsp;Our GPS in our car couldn't find the street name so we were just going to start looking on street signs. &nbsp;We looked at one and it wasn't it and then drove a little more, in no pattern or anything just completely random and we stopped to look at another one in a different part of the town and boom that was the street. &nbsp;We went and visited his house and it was his parents home and they said that he lives in Uppsala now. &nbsp;So we gave the Uppsala elders his information and hopefully something happens with him because it was crazy that this random street we decided to check was the right one!</div><div><br /></div><div>And one more fun little story. &nbsp;We had a good day all set up and then it basically all fell apart and the last thing we did was go and look for an old investigator from 2010. &nbsp;Turns out it was like immigrant housing or something and the first few doors we asked had no idea who we were looking for and then a really nice guy from Georgia (the country) who spoke only Russian, a tiny bit of Swedish, and read Arabic let us in as we tried to explain who we were looking for, and then that we were missionaries. &nbsp;We ended up running to our car and getting a Ukrainian Book of Mormon and an Arabic one for him to read and he tried to give us the Quoran but we told him that we couldn't read it. &nbsp;But we were all pumped because he was so nice, he is Muslim but really nice and there is a huge language barrier. &nbsp;Anyway right after that we decided to just knock the next door just to ask if they knew this old investigator and it turns out it was an African family from Eritrea and Sudan and only one knew Swedish so he translated for the others. &nbsp;They said that the two girls don't know anything about Christianity but need to learn more so they let us in and we taught the Restoration and wanted to come to church and have copies of the Book of Mormon in Amharic so they can read. &nbsp;It was just cool to see how we were led to them even though it totally didn't feel like it! &nbsp;</div><div>So those are my cool little coincidences that I have noticed lately, which I am sure aren't really coincidences and amazing things are going to come from them. &nbsp;But the week was a pretty good one. &nbsp;One funny thing that happened was that we went and had the car inspected for its normal yearly inspection (3 days ago) and then today as we were driving to Luleå to email and give the sisters the car for the next few days a light came on and the car started to make a horrible noise. &nbsp;We slowed down and putted our way off the highway to a gas station and after a lot of phone calls and waiting we got it towed to the dealership to be fixed. &nbsp;So that kinda threw off our day today and will probably throw off our week but we will see. &nbsp;We've been joking that the dealership didn't do anything to the car actually or that they like ruined it or something because it was fine before it went in! hahaha</div><div><br /></div><div>It is so great to hear from you guys though. &nbsp;It sounds like it was a pretty good week. &nbsp;And I am really happy that you guys found a renter and buyer for the house! &nbsp;I actually felt that I should pray for that this week and also that Dad would not be so stressed at work and that things would work out. &nbsp;I guess they were good things to pray for with all those house showings and especially with Dad's crazy day on Thursday. &nbsp;That is another neat thing that happened this week I suppose. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>And I did write the Blotters a little letter, just to thank them for sending me their Christmas card and a little note and 20 dollars! &nbsp;So nice! &nbsp;I wrote a few other people who sent me things as well and am still writing thank you notes to everyone that sent me things. &nbsp;A lot of people sent me Christmas cards and usually a little note as well. &nbsp;I was grateful to receive them all. &nbsp;Also I have gotten both of your packages and thanks so much for sending both of them! &nbsp;So nice! &nbsp;You guys are the very best! &nbsp;The blue light makes a great alarm clock too, it shines a bright light on you with sounds! &nbsp;But thanks so much for all your letters and packages :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Also just fyi, I do get Grandpa's letters I just haven't had a ton of time to write him back yet! &nbsp;I have loved hearing from him so thank him if you can before I do :) &nbsp;I will try to write him back quickly!</div><div><br /></div><div>That is also really fun that Abby had such a great time with Calvin. &nbsp;I am so happy for her and any success or cool things that my siblings (and parents :)) have! &nbsp;I'm sure you guys have an idea how much I miss you all, but just know that I love you all so much and miss you very much! &nbsp;I love seeing pictures of you all on the calendar you sent and the Christmas card :) &nbsp;My favorite is the one of me and Estee by that big nametag we got hahaha but make sure to tell Estee that :) haha Oh and tell Abby that that is too bad that she got those bruises from ice skating but I am glad that she had a great time! &nbsp;Also that I do know exactly who Alex Outsen is. &nbsp;I'm sure he will do a great job in Albania, what a neat mission. &nbsp;I have met a few Albanians on my mission and they have told me that since it used to be a communist place, many people really don't have a religious background or sometimes they are Muslim. &nbsp;Oh and I wanted to say that Bob sounds like the nicest guy ever and I am glad that you now know him! &nbsp;Lastly, how exciting for Mollie and Luke! &nbsp;I hope the best for them. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for keeping me updated and I love to hear from you all and how things are going. &nbsp;I love you and miss you and hope you have a great week!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div><br /></div><div>Äldste Ward</div><div><br /></div></div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-76366757918229140242014-02-13T13:59:00.000-08:002014-02-13T13:59:15.644-08:00January 20, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hey Guys!</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Wow it sounds like everyone had a busy/fun week so I guess like usual! &nbsp;Dad told me his schedule and he sounds busy as ever which is completely normal for him. &nbsp;I love you all and hearing about how things are! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was a pretty interesting one, and it has gotten a lot colder :/ &nbsp;-20 celsius doesn't feel too bad now (like it is now in Luleå) but -30 is kinda cold! &nbsp;This p-day we haven't done anything cool but we did get haircuts from a guy from the middle east today. &nbsp;He said that he thinks English is the best language and wants to learn it. &nbsp;It reminded me how many people love the English language and America. &nbsp;It is crazy really. &nbsp;Everyone reallly loves it and anyone that doesn't like it just jealous according to what Swedes have told me and what I've seen. &nbsp;I just remember how many teachers and stuff all said that Europeans think that Americans and America is so dumb and stuff but like that is not how it is at all! &nbsp;I see more Yankee hats and American flag shirts here than I do home! &nbsp;Like everyone in the world wants to learn English as well. &nbsp;Anyway from this perspective it makes me grateful to think that I was born in that great land and I see that God really has poured out blessings on it. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But also this week we decided that we better start sharing the car with the sister missionaries in Luleå. &nbsp;Even though there is a bus system in Luleå that works pretty well it is pretty cold out! &nbsp;So we have had to walk around Boden while it is COLD hahaha. &nbsp;We went over to teach one of our investigators named T who lived across town and we thought that we could just walk there. &nbsp;Well it was an hour walk both ways and got pretty cold. &nbsp;It also exhausted us so luckily it was the last thing that we did that night. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But other people we are teaching...S is a guy from Nigeria who we tracted into and he has been willing to read the Book of Mormon and learn about the church. &nbsp;He is a nice guy and I think he has potential to be baptized soon! &nbsp;He is busy but is continuing to read!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Also we have been teaching a lady named G. &nbsp;She is an immigrant from the middle east and we use skype with a member in Stockholm who knows English, swedish, and arabic so she can translate for us. &nbsp;G says that she feels that the church is true and the Book of Mormon is also true but she lives in Boden so it is way hard for her to come to church and her husband doesn't like us...but those are the primary 3 people we are teaching so feel free to pray for them. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Also a last little highlight that I have is we took some boiling water and threw it outside and instead of turning into solid ice it just all turns into snow. &nbsp;It was pretty dang cool hahahaa! &nbsp;I got a cool video that I will have to try to send you. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But that is cool about the random connection we have to the new president. &nbsp;Its a small world! &nbsp;And how neat that one of the new missionaries' family is moving into our new ward! &nbsp;Again it is a small world. &nbsp;<span style="font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But I love you all and miss you all and love to hear from you! &nbsp;Good luck in all that you guys do and have a great week! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward/ Andy</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-87043394365644074172014-02-13T13:53:00.000-08:002014-02-13T13:53:33.722-08:00January 13, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Family! &nbsp;</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was a pretty good week! &nbsp;It finally got cold up here and oh man it got really cold! &nbsp;Today while we were driving I broke my cold record because it was -32.5 degrees celsius which is -26.5 degrees fahrenheit! &nbsp; But some highlights were that we had splits with the zone leaders in Umeå this week which was good. &nbsp;The elder I went with was really good and taught me a lot and how to be better and how to better interest people that you talk to tracting and on the street. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Also this week we traded cars with the Umeå elders. &nbsp;I don't know if I have told you guys but we have a car because our area is so big (I found out it is bigger than the state of Vermont!). &nbsp;Anyway that was exciting because we had to name the car (of course). &nbsp;Our first cars name was Molly, after the name of a famous Swedish singer, and then the new one is named Veronica after another famous Swedish singer hahaha. &nbsp;So far Veronica has been much better hahaha. &nbsp;That is probably really boring but in exciting news today for p-day we went up to the Arctic Circle! &nbsp;It was freezing but now its cool to say that I have been there! &nbsp;We also visited a tiny little town called Jokkmokk and tried looking for some cool Sami stuff but we cou<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">ldn't really find anything. &nbsp;Me and elder Clawson both want sami knives like with a bone for the handle. &nbsp;We will keep looking but no luck today. &nbsp;ALSO today driving we saw some reindeer!! We both thought it was awesome to see them, but wish we could have gotten some pictures. :(</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">It is pretty cold up here and snows a lot. &nbsp;We have driven across the river a few times but they didn't have any cones. &nbsp;It is getting a little lighter which is so great! &nbsp;I am kinda sick of it being dark all the time and never seeing the sun because it is always either rising or setting and never gets high. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I will make sure to tell Victoria Wirtala that you guys loved the email! &nbsp;She and her family are all so nice. &nbsp;They actually have a son on a mission in England right now so they probably understand how you guys feel! &nbsp;But I haven't gotten your package yet but thanks so much for sending me those things! &nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">And no I am not really speaking any French, the only people who I speak French with our the new converts Fxxxx and Oxxxxx and then also Dxxx. &nbsp;So I read a chapter in French in the Book of Mormon with Fxxxx and I say prayers in French and I can understand a majority of what they say but their English is better than my French so I'm not really using it. &nbsp;And no we haven't seen the northern lights yet. &nbsp;Me and Elder Clawson are hoping that we see them! &nbsp;But we didn't plan very well today so now I am out of time to email so I need to go now but love you all and so great to hear that you all are doing well still even though things are still always busy! &nbsp;I hope Abby keeps doing well getting ready for the ACT and I hope that she beats me because she deserves it! &nbsp;I have absolute trust that she is going to do great hahaha. &nbsp;I also hope Jake and Estee keep doing well with skiing and basketball and kumon and swimming and playing with friends! &nbsp;Love and miss you guys and you're in my prayers!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Love,</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Elder Ward/ Andy</span></div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-63440596081584555022014-02-13T13:28:00.000-08:002014-02-13T13:47:30.862-08:00January 12, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Sister Wirtala sent me these great videos and pictures of some missionaries she had over for "tacodinner". &nbsp; I love nice members that do this!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwZrstW7tkNB90I-HtVFGm-WZ1WMwXKAs5fVh4R15tjkqqJBrY5saghHwiSDTjLDYmoNspE5CNI8zrR05JBCQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The missionaries singing I am a child of God in Swedish. &nbsp;I love it.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiPQNHzK9BU/Uv02fy6GgrI/AAAAAAAAIEo/ITgahGEgf20/s1600/Sister+missionaries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiPQNHzK9BU/Uv02fy6GgrI/AAAAAAAAIEo/ITgahGEgf20/s1600/Sister+missionaries.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The darling sisters serving in Lulea area with Aldste Ward right now.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWkHeLbrsQI/Uv02bpuei6I/AAAAAAAAIEg/5yBj2uGHNuA/s1600/Ward+in+Lulea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWkHeLbrsQI/Uv02bpuei6I/AAAAAAAAIEg/5yBj2uGHNuA/s1600/Ward+in+Lulea.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating "tacodinner"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mOh61z_Shz0/Uv018nR71jI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/SmBfxlB5muA/s1600/Elder+Clawson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mOh61z_Shz0/Uv018nR71jI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/SmBfxlB5muA/s1600/Elder+Clawson.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aldste Clawson (Andy's companion right now)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3XBP0nw8Bo/Uv03RLHpsUI/AAAAAAAAIEw/JQbljV632Ns/s1600/Tacodinner+family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3XBP0nw8Bo/Uv03RLHpsUI/AAAAAAAAIEw/JQbljV632Ns/s1600/Tacodinner+family.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wirtala Family who hosted the "tacodinner" they have a son on a mission right now and this is a pic of them skyping with him over Christmas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-1449694934287835192014-02-13T13:08:00.001-08:002014-02-13T13:08:29.475-08:00January 6, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Mom, Dad and Family,</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It is always great to hear from you and how things are going at home! &nbsp;Yes, I will need to tell you guys more details about my life here. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was a pretty good week after New Years...on Friday we met with two African members, Oxxxxx and Dxxx. &nbsp;Oxxxxx was baptized pretty recently but is doing really well. &nbsp;He can't speak much English and either can Dxxx so we bring another member who speaks French with us, named Fxxxx. &nbsp;Fxxxx was also baptized pretty recently and is doing really well also. &nbsp;He comes to church every Sunday and is learning English so we can communicate pretty well with him. &nbsp;We meet with Fxxxx twice a week and read a chapter in the Book of Mormon in French with him and then once a week we give him 25 verbs to learn in English. &nbsp;But these 3 are the only people who I actually speak French with and I can't say a lot in French but I can understand a lot more which is good. &nbsp;Still not nearly that good but I try to say prayers with them in French and try to speak as much as I can with them in French. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Anyway Oxxxxx and Dxxx live at this immigration house (they are from the Congo btw, and Fxxxx is from Somalia) and while we were walking in (with Fxxxx) there were some police that came and just asked us what we were doing and where we were from and then they left and we kinda thought it was a little weird. &nbsp;But later Fxxxx told us that in the immigration house sometimes people sell drugs there and he said that the Mafia from Russia has a "base" in Luleå and then work with Arabs and Africans is what he said to sell drugs and stuff so that was kinda surprising to me that the Russian Mafia is up here but I guess I'm not actually that far from Russia. &nbsp;But the good news is that Oxxxxx and Dxxx were having trouble coming to church because it is like a 40 minute drive and they don't have much money but they decided that they are going to sacrifice and save money for bus cards and come every Sunday because it is important for them. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Sunday at church I was able to meet our Branch President who had been out of town visiting family in Stockholm and actually President Newell because our Branch President is David Newell, the son of President Newell! &nbsp;He went on his mission here and married a Swedish girl and they have a family here. &nbsp;He actually teaches at Luleå University apparently, so funny little thing. &nbsp;He seems like an amazing leader here and was very nice. &nbsp;He also speaks French which is good for Oxxxxx and Fxxxx and Dxxx. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We have also been meeting with an older Swedish guy named T and he really likes having us over (probably for the company because he might be a little lonely). &nbsp;He has an awesome dog and it is a type of dog called a Lapphund, that live up here in the north and are like the kind that the Sami people use or something. &nbsp;Anyway he has said that he will be baptized on Jan 25, but hasn't come to church! &nbsp;He can't leave his dog at home and get a ride with the members (who were his friends who introduced him to the gospel) and he says that taking a bus won't work and his car won't work in the cold! &nbsp;We just need to show to him that whatever sacrifice he makes to come to church will be worth it because this is the most important thing he could ever do! &nbsp;But last time after our lesson he made us a bunch of toast and tea to drink. &nbsp;Here in Sweden they always have butter and cheese on their bread, and not roasted or anything. &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Also a little about the grocery stores here, they aren't too different from back home, but they make you pay like 30 cents per bag to put your groceries in and then in general everything is more expensive. &nbsp;Also the big stores all have like a post office thing in them and that is where you go to pick up packages you get. &nbsp;At your home you get all of your normal mail and then if you get a package you get a slip or notification thing that says there is a package waiting for you at this grocery store, so then you go and get it. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is sad that Brother Perry passed away. &nbsp;I remember visiting him once before I left for the sacrament I think with Dad. &nbsp;I like that Psalm that you sent me, and yes I remember learning about the different constellations in Lewistown. &nbsp;I wish I could remember all of the constellations! &nbsp;Here the only thing I have noticed with the stars is that when I first noticed the big dipper it was like perfectly placed in the sky like kinda low, but like perfectly in place of how you would draw it so that is cool I guess. &nbsp;And then we still haven't seen the northern lights up here! &nbsp;We want to see them bad. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Oh and being a senior companion doesn't really mean anything but apparently you just have the final say in what you do I guess or something, but I guess it is cool to be one. :) &nbsp;But that is really nice that President Newell sent that nice letter to you. &nbsp;I will have to thank him. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is good that you could all go up and give Grandpa Jorgy a senior wish! &nbsp;I hope that they can keep doing well. &nbsp;That is sad that they are still going downhill. &nbsp;I am glad that Grandma always gets so happy when you tell her that I am on my mission in Sweden! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hopefully you can find a renter for the Mount majestic house! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My companion, Elder Clawson, is a great guy. &nbsp;He likes to work hard and to be obedient and we are getting things done! &nbsp;He has only been out on his mission 6 weeks longer than me so it is fun to be with someone who has basically been out as long as me. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">These past few days have been a little harder for some reason. &nbsp;I think that Satan is working hard against me right now, or at least it feels like it. &nbsp;But he must just know that something big is going to happen soon if I just keep working hard! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love you all and pray for you and miss you! &nbsp;Thanks so much for all you do and talk to you next week!! &nbsp;Hopefully I can see the northern lights and send some pictures to you all!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-27389544439194931212014-02-13T12:53:00.000-08:002014-02-13T12:53:09.176-08:00Senior Companion January 5, 2014<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Dear Brother and Sister Ward,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">What a pleasure it is to have your son, Äldste Preston Ward, in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. He has recently been assigned to serve as a Senior Companion in the Luleå area.&nbsp; He is a strong example of gospel living and of devoted, selfless service to the Lord, the members, fellow missionaries and the people of Sweden.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Thank you for your sacrifice in supporting your son in this sacred service.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify;">With respect and kind regards,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Brush Script MT; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Gregory J. Newell</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">Gregory J. Newell, President</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10pt;">SWEDEN STOCKHOLM MISSION</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-70878433333724473302014-02-13T12:46:00.002-08:002014-02-13T12:46:51.908-08:00January 2, 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Family,</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Wow it sounds like you all had a fun week! &nbsp;It is always so great to hear from you and all the neat things you are doing! &nbsp;It was very fun for me to skype with you guys too and the time really flew so I guess that is a pretty good indicator that it was really fun (time flies when you're having fun)! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I haven't been getting too homesick this holiday season, which is good. &nbsp;It just feels different and I look forward to spending a Christmas season with you, but it is a very cool and unique experience I get to have hear in Sweden! Thank you for always caring for me and thinking and praying for me. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Christmas Day we were with that family for pretty much the entire day. &nbsp; They were so nice and talked with us the whole time and seemed to enjoy it but we all loved it! &nbsp;<span style="font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is so great that they Jorgensen family party was a success! &nbsp;I bet I missed out. &nbsp;That is so funny that Daniel and his girlfriend came with the Spaniards! &nbsp;That sounds like a really cool party. &nbsp; Does Grandma remember that I am on a mission in Sweden? Or does she still get excited everytime that you tell her? &nbsp;How are her and grandpa doing healthwise? &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On New Year's Eve we got to go to a family's house and ate a ton of food with them (steak and potatoes :) and then at&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1802343041" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">midnight</span></span>&nbsp;got to go see the firework show in Luleå city. &nbsp;It was cool and I recorded the whole thing, if you guys want maybe I could dropbox it to you. &nbsp;And yes the dropbox works perfectly and it is great to see those pictures and videos!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And I haven't bought any vitamin d pills, but maybe I could find them somewhere...Actually how about if its not too much you can send them if you guys want me to have them hahaha. :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But a little about the week I guess, I can't really think of anything cool that we did. &nbsp;We have been teaching people and trying to find people who are interested. &nbsp;Lately it also hasn't been too cold, like around 32 degrees F. &nbsp;I feel like I have been getting fat up here with all the food that we have been given and then all the candy that we've got. &nbsp;But know that I am doing good and trying to do my best and hoping that it gets lighter up here soon! &nbsp;I am glad that you guys liked all the candy that I sent! &nbsp;Did anyone like the "Fisherman's Friend"? &nbsp;I don't think they are very good....but the other one's are way good! &nbsp;Have everyone tell me their favorite so for their birthday I will have some ideas :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love you all so much and miss you and pray for you and hope the best for all of you! &nbsp;I hope that things are as good as they sound there because they sound awesome. &nbsp;Have a great half week and I will talk to you on the 6th (next monday).</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-16109287255716044362014-02-13T12:39:00.000-08:002014-02-13T12:39:05.453-08:00Christmas!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got to Skype with Aldste Ward on Christmas Day for over an hour! &nbsp;Best present ever!! It was so fun to talk to him and see his smiling face. &nbsp;It made me miss him more though. &nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5bRuWXj-X4/Uv0rT8ptlII/AAAAAAAAID4/rwnxn17XY44/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5bRuWXj-X4/Uv0rT8ptlII/AAAAAAAAID4/rwnxn17XY44/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQXY8jhtjxc/Uv0rKb3bpyI/AAAAAAAAIDo/cw_16uOI0PI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQXY8jhtjxc/Uv0rKb3bpyI/AAAAAAAAIDo/cw_16uOI0PI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="272" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little Santa on the left is the newest and favorite part of my santa collection (the one holding the little Swedish flag). &nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOVHKqSi8Qc/Uv0rRhTQdaI/AAAAAAAAIDw/gr6ky1vhazc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOVHKqSi8Qc/Uv0rRhTQdaI/AAAAAAAAIDw/gr6ky1vhazc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He showed up in this box all the way from Sweden!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-McPVdFfmFNk/Uv0rTtkFguI/AAAAAAAAID8/lAuvc4XRTzQ/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-McPVdFfmFNk/Uv0rTtkFguI/AAAAAAAAID8/lAuvc4XRTzQ/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along with all this Swedish Candy. &nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKWzFXJKSJw/Uv0oWRbHb7I/AAAAAAAAIDc/pBtjK8JswDQ/s1600/Mysterious+Aldste+Ward.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKWzFXJKSJw/Uv0oWRbHb7I/AAAAAAAAIDc/pBtjK8JswDQ/s1600/Mysterious+Aldste+Ward.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure whats happening here...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-15605290488518117632014-02-08T08:06:00.003-08:002014-02-08T08:06:50.951-08:00The LDS church in Karlskrona, Sweden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVEYPT-P2pg/UvZVlf3HgzI/AAAAAAAAICo/ZGA5aD57HgA/s1600/DSCN1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVEYPT-P2pg/UvZVlf3HgzI/AAAAAAAAICo/ZGA5aD57HgA/s1600/DSCN1901.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6KJ8kvJexw/UvZVlZWyJaI/AAAAAAAAICs/qMpJ-KEAHUc/s1600/DSCN1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6KJ8kvJexw/UvZVlZWyJaI/AAAAAAAAICs/qMpJ-KEAHUc/s1600/DSCN1902.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-26573645883631374912014-02-08T07:58:00.000-08:002014-02-08T07:58:01.159-08:00December 16, 2013<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hej!</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was another one out here and I'm still trying to do my best. &nbsp;I received news on Saturday that the rumors were true and that I will be going to Luleå for the next few months! &nbsp;I am excited to have a snowy Christmas right outside the Arctic Circle! &nbsp;It is so great to hear from you all and hear all the exciting things that are going on! &nbsp;I was able to talk briefly to the elders there right now and my new companion seems like a nice guy, named Elder Clausen. &nbsp;They told me that there are a lot of immigrants from the Congo up there that speak French so I will have the chance to practice my French!! &nbsp;It has been cool to read a little bit in the French Book of Mormon and see how much I can figure out.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I am glad, Mom, that you like the Santa! &nbsp;I thought it would be a fun little present to have! &nbsp;I also hope you guys like all the candies from Sweden! &nbsp;Awesome that Abby had a fun time at her dance and that they all came to the house and had fun too! &nbsp;Abby looks so beautiful in that picture you guys sent! &nbsp;I am happy that Jake got to go skiing and go to a BYU basketball game and had a fun time and that Estee got TWO play dates with Jocelyn this week! &nbsp;What a fun one! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And it is good to hear that there is snow there. &nbsp;There is still no snow on the ground here in Karlskrona! &nbsp;I wonder how cold it actually is here...we don't have a thermometer or anything but one time this week it was really hot in our apartment so before we went to bed we decided to open the window and then we woke up the next morning and it was freezing! &nbsp;And then last night we didn't open the window but then my companion opened it at like 6 because it had got so hot in our apartment! &nbsp;So we might need to adjust our heaters. :)&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I think that is so great that you all read my letters together Monday nights! &nbsp;You guys are too nice and I feel undeserving to have such a loving and kind family like you! I love you all so much!!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love that quote that you sent me! &nbsp;I think I might print that out so I can and remind myself those things more! This transfer has been a little harder and has taught me a lot about getting along and I just really like what you sent and hope to remember that more in my life! &nbsp;<span style="font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dad, the guy that you interviewed who was applying to be a resident, that is really cool that he went to Sweden! Do you remember his name? Maybe some of the older missionaries that I know will know him, but maybe not because applying for residency is a few years down the road. &nbsp;But that is really cool, another connection to Sweden! &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Oh and you asked how long the trip from Karlskrona to Luleå would take. &nbsp;I just looked at the tickets and it is like a 5 hour train ride to Stockholm from Karlskrona and then we have a zone conference in Stockholm on Thursday so I stay in Stockholm for a couple of nights and then we take a hour train ride to some airport and then the plane ride is only like an hour and a half. &nbsp;So like a total of 7.5 hours. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Some highlights from this week are that we started teaching this one investigator and he is awesome and totally wants to be baptized and believes everything but is having trouble telling himself that he wants to get rid of smoking and coffee. &nbsp;He says that he knows that God will give him the strength to stop but he just loves those things so much so is trying and praying for the will to stop. &nbsp;He is a great guy and I really hope the best for him. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Also I have a story that you may find humorous. &nbsp;I believe that sometimes I was referred to as the "friend of the asian" just keep that in mind. &nbsp;On Saturday we met with a less active guy named Fu and went to go play basketball with him. &nbsp;It turns out it was the Chinese Union's gym rental time so me and Elder Ogaard were the only none Chinese there out of like 20 people! &nbsp;It was funny. &nbsp;We were also able to talk to a few of the people there about what we were doing here in Sweden so we will see if anything comes up from that. &nbsp;I had a blast playing with them and hope that more opportunities like that come up in other areas because it is so fun!</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday we got to go to the St. Lucia concerts they have in the Swedish churches. &nbsp;It was a pretty cool cultural thing to see. &nbsp;They have a girl who wears like six candles on her head who is like the Saint for the event! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Those are all the highlights of the week that I can really think of but I am doing well here and I am staying warm and things are good. &nbsp;I will let you know more about what our plans for Christmas will be and what time we can schedule that will be best! &nbsp;I love and miss you all so much! &nbsp;Being out here and learning Swedish is such a neat and cool thing to do! &nbsp;You are in my prayers! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div><br /></div><div>Äldste Preston Andrew Ward</div></div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-49369429613948816832013-12-10T12:53:00.001-08:002013-12-10T12:53:15.076-08:00Brrrrrrrr..........<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1aDr2NixwA/Uqd8y-lU9lI/AAAAAAAAIAk/meK4cwW3qOc/s1600/Sweden+frozen+over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="403" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1aDr2NixwA/Uqd8y-lU9lI/AAAAAAAAIAk/meK4cwW3qOc/s640/Sweden+frozen+over.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Stockholm, Sweden frozen over.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-36891003717573674932013-12-10T12:50:00.002-08:002013-12-10T12:50:41.557-08:00Dec. 9, 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m527f9wuc7Y/Uqd816xoUbI/AAAAAAAAIAo/eadZkDQkdXQ/s1600/Andy+in+Karlskrona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m527f9wuc7Y/Uqd816xoUbI/AAAAAAAAIAo/eadZkDQkdXQ/s320/Andy+in+Karlskrona.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"We found this beautiful tree in Karlskrona"</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hej Everyone!</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was another good week and I thought a few exciting things happen! &nbsp;The major event of the week was our zone training in Helsingborg&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093082" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span>. &nbsp;We had to get up at 5 to catch a&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093083" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:50</span></span>&nbsp;train to Helsingborg and got there a little after&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093084" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:15</span></span>, so that was exciting. &nbsp;We had a nice little zone training and I liked the lesson the zone leaders taught. &nbsp;After that President Newell was going to interview everyone there (they like to interview people as frequently as possible). &nbsp;So we all basically sat around and waited for our turns and the interviews were going really long. &nbsp;While we waited I was able to go to Ikea with another missionary and get some of the good Ikea food haha. Anyway basically all the sisters in the zone were able to get interviewed and then go home. &nbsp;However there was a storm that was coming so after our interviews were done it was too late and the storm had shut down all the trains. &nbsp;So we had to sleep at the zone leaders apartment with the Kristianstad and Halmstad elders. &nbsp;It sucked because we had no change of clothes or anything. &nbsp;Anyway so the next day,&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093085" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span>, we kept trying and trying to catch trains and we thought there would be one leaving in about 2 hours so we took a little walk around the city and the water was really choppy out in the ocean (Helsingborg is a coastal city, right by Denmark) and the wind was probably the windiest I have ever been in but still just wind. &nbsp;When we got back to the train station all the trains were canceled until&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093086" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span>&nbsp;morning. &nbsp;So we had to spend one more night in the zone leaders apartment and then&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093087" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span>&nbsp;afternoon we were finally able to leave. &nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093088" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span>&nbsp;night it snowed (finally!) and that evening one of the zone leaders and I went down to the beach and got some awesome pictures of the storm and of Helsingborg. &nbsp;I will send them to you guys! &nbsp;They look a lot crazier than it was and literally the rest of the city was perfectly fine. &nbsp;"Stormen Sven" (the storm Sven) was a big problem to us missionaries hahaha! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOD-v9ED38k/Uqd43w2hR3I/AAAAAAAAH_8/RNF0VZmmGD0/s1600/Karlskrona,+sweden+storm+sven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOD-v9ED38k/Uqd43w2hR3I/AAAAAAAAH_8/RNF0VZmmGD0/s1600/Karlskrona,+sweden+storm+sven.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stormen Sven" in Helsingborg, thats the Baltic Sea coming up on the road.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The other exciting thing that happened this week was my interview with President Newell. &nbsp;He again told me that I will for sure be leaving Karlskrona, however during the week he called me and was wondering about my French and how many years I took and stuff for what he said was information for transfers and stuff. &nbsp;So I started to read the Book of Mormon in French this week to sort of catch up on my French. &nbsp;Anyway during the interview he was asking me questions in French and then basically told me to keep reading the Book of Mormon in French and to keep focusing on Karlskrona until the day I leave and that he will still be calling me for transfer information to verify everything. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It is always so great to hear from you all. &nbsp;I love hearing about all of your weeks and glad that this week had some fun highlights. &nbsp;Dad, it was really cool to understand nearly all of your letter in Swedish. &nbsp;There were a few words that I didn't know but it was still cool to see my progress with the language. &nbsp;I am not sure how well google translate is because I am not perfect with the grammar yet but I think it gets it right usually. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The weather here has been a little colder and it finally snowed! Yay! &nbsp;It was snowing a ton at church and then&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_695093090" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>&nbsp;evening it turned to rain :( so there is basically no snow left. &nbsp;I think I have all the clothing I need for the winter. &nbsp;I have a great winter coat and my hat and gloves are great. &nbsp;Only my feet got a little cold this week so I have started wearing wool socks :) &nbsp;I will certainly let you know if I need anything. &nbsp;Thanks for being the great parents you are and caring for me.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I don't know any Sister Richins but I will ask around and see if anyone knows her. &nbsp;That is really cool that she is here too! &nbsp;I think it is awesome all the people you are finding that connect to Sweden!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dad and Jake that sounds like a pretty cool hike you went on this week! &nbsp;Except that you got all wet and cold! &nbsp;And we will have to go snowshoeing and camping in the Uintah's when I get back! &nbsp;That sounds so fun!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is nice to hear that the ward is so supportive of me and that Bishop England thinks highly of me. &nbsp;We have such a nice ward! &nbsp;That is fun that you got to help the young men with the giving away presents thing! &nbsp;I'm glad that the families who it helped enjoyed it! &nbsp;Oh and so great that Abby gave a great talk! &nbsp;In her email she made it sound like it wasn't that great but longer than 2 minutes haha. &nbsp;I will have to tell her that it was awesome! &nbsp;And here in Sweden I am trying to be a better public speaker. &nbsp;I think speaking in another language is definitely helping, that means giving one in English won't be so bad! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love that mormon message with Elder Nelson. &nbsp;I saw it in the MTC and it is just such a great one and so true that we need not be afraid, especially of death. &nbsp;I also love that line about not needing to reach perfection in this life but trying to reach it!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is great that the Jazz are better now that Trey is playing! &nbsp;I can't wait to watch them when I get home! &nbsp;And that sounds like a pretty cool bowl game, Michigan vs. Kansas State! &nbsp;And hopefully Stanford will trash Sparty in the Rose Bowl! &nbsp;Also I am surprised to hear that Missouri and Duke both went to their conference championship games! &nbsp;I don't think that has ever happened in Duke's history and Missouri was only 5-7 last year and no one really expected more this year! &nbsp;It sounds like the Aggies will have a tough game against N. Illinois! &nbsp;But that is awesome that they nearly beat Fresno and won the Mtn, west! &nbsp;Sick! &nbsp;I will have to put the Lions game on my watch when I get home list! &nbsp;How is Reggie Bush doing and Megatron and Stafford? &nbsp;Lastly, good to hear that Ohio lost :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our lesson with the family from Albania fell through and they won't be able to meet for a while because the husband is really busy now. &nbsp;Peter, a nice guy who wasn't really investigating but liked to come to church to try his faith is leaving to Italy to become a monk, but I hope that one day either in this life or the next that he accepts the message of the gospel. &nbsp;He is a great guy.<br /><div><br /></div><div>It was cool to see Denmark! &nbsp;I would love to go there soon! &nbsp;I recently figured out which countries I am from with percentages and everything and I am 50% English, 12.5% Swiss,~12% Danish, 10% Swedish and those are the big ones! &nbsp;I also found a cool story about an ancestor from Denmark. &nbsp;It is really cool to see some of our Danish ancestors were brought the gospel by Erastus Snow, another ancestor, just on my other side! &nbsp;I don't know if you guys know this but Erastus Snow one of the early apostles in the church, who we are directly related to, opened up missionary work in all of Scandinavia which (obviously) includes Sweden! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>That is so nice that Elder Allsop sent you guys that letter. &nbsp;I will have to tell him thanks so much. &nbsp;He is a great guy.</div><div><br /></div><div>That is fun that Christmas decorations and preparations are going on! &nbsp;I sent you guys a package this week so I hope you get it before Christmas! &nbsp;Make sure to open it before because there is something in there that might be nice to have before Christmas :) &nbsp;Oh and I have received 2 packages from you and am they look exciting!! &nbsp;And I have been loving the advent calendar that you guys sent :)</div><div><br /></div><div>That is great that Abby's doing great and going to another dance and is half way done with her lab! &nbsp;The time is flying by for me! hahaha</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, I hope Jake is still enjoying basketball and school and his foods class hahaha. &nbsp;I am glad that he is always so happy to help with everything though! &nbsp;What a stud!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am glad that Estee is still doing great even if she is a little sassy hahaha. &nbsp;At least she is on Mom's side always! I miss and love all my wonderful and awesome siblings!</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love and miss you all so much and you are all in my prayers! &nbsp;I just remembered that we need to set a time to talk on Christmas! &nbsp;We can use Skype so I can see all of your faces! &nbsp;What time would be good do you guys think? &nbsp;I won't be in this area for Christmas so it is a little hard to figure out everything now but they want us to get all the plans set up :) &nbsp;I love you all!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-16163204430584395102013-12-09T15:32:00.000-08:002013-12-10T12:51:56.451-08:00Dec. 2, 2013<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hey Family!</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was another good week and it was fun to be able to "celebrate" Thanksgiving here! &nbsp;Let me give you a run down of the week! &nbsp;Last Monday we got to go into town and we got to see some of the cool city sights! &nbsp;The centrum (like the downtown I guess) of Karlskrona is actually on an island, but it doesn't really feel like it. &nbsp;We also got to teach this little family who are from Albania. &nbsp;The wife doesn't speak any Swedish and very little English so we teach her husband who knows English and then he can translate for her. &nbsp;We don't know the husband's name right now but the wife's is Fatmire. &nbsp;They were so nice to us and said that they would read the Book of Mormon. We are going to teach them again this week and I hope they can continue to feel the spirit! &nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Tuesday the only really highlight I can think of is that we got to teach this one guy who don't really think is progressing but just likes the company of the missionaries. &nbsp;He is an old guy that is really big so probably can't get out often. &nbsp;We are going to meet with him a few more times and try to go over things really clearer so that he doesn't always ask the same questions. &nbsp;Also he is kinda hard to teach because he is really hard to understand. He is old and kinda speaks I guess "sloppy" just that it is slurred so a little harder for non natives to understand :) The accent they have down here doesn't help too much either haha.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Wednesday we got to do splits with the zone leaders. &nbsp;So I went to a city on the west coast of Sweden called Helsingborg. &nbsp;Our first lesson we taught a guy who is from Ghana and was baptized a year or so ago but is now being deported because he doesn't have official papers. &nbsp;However the Ghana Embassy won't give Sweden any of his papers so he is just sitting in this immigrant prison. &nbsp;So we got to go to the immigrant prison and share a little lesson with him. &nbsp;And also if he goes to Ghana he is some sort of war criminal so will be killed when he arrives! &nbsp;Crazy! &nbsp;He also told us a story that his friend that is in the prison too and is in the same sort of situation. &nbsp;Apparently the Swedish forged some papers and forced the guy on a plane to Africa. &nbsp;But it had some layovers and the guy told the French officials to make sure his papers were right and they realized they were forged and so sent him back to Sweden and his guards allegedly were beating him for telling the officials about his papers! However I have no idea how much if any of this is true, but it makes a good story. &nbsp;We taught a few other lessons that day and one was to this Philippine woman and she cooked us sooo much food! &nbsp;We had the main course of poatos and meat and this soupy thing and then she made us all sandwiches and had us pack some for later and then we all (we were with the other elders in that area) had to eat this carton of ice cream hahaha. &nbsp;It was super good but a lot. &nbsp;If Zach doesn't gain weight on his mission in the Philippines then he deserves an award. &nbsp;But also in Helsingborg it is just a few miles of ocean from Denmark and so I got to see Denmark and I also got to see the castle (in Denmark) where Hamlet (supposedly) takes place! &nbsp;So cool!</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17PJQ-HfMoA/Uqd8rxm79sI/AAAAAAAAIAc/uTbfhZUbeqg/s1600/Andy+in+Sweden+12%253A13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17PJQ-HfMoA/Uqd8rxm79sI/AAAAAAAAIAc/uTbfhZUbeqg/s320/Andy+in+Sweden+12%253A13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy in front of a castle</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Thursday we didn't have any dinner appointments so we went and bought some salmon and some mini baguettes and cooked those up with some vegetables and bought some bottles of coke and had a great missionary Thanksgiving dinner! &nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Friday was the real Thanksgiving though. &nbsp;Our branch president set up some things and invited all the missionaries in Karlskrona (just us and the sister missionaries) over for Thanksgiving dinner! &nbsp;Also a lady who lives in Provo and has a son on a mission here was there and helped cook a ton of the stuff she was so nice and her name was Sister Knecht. &nbsp;She took some pictures of us and will probably be sending Mom some pictures this week because she is on that Swedish missionary moms facebook group. &nbsp;But dinner was great and there was turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and apple pie! &nbsp;It was so good :)</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Saturday the highlight was going and having dinner with this less active guy who was baptized almost a year ago. &nbsp;He is from China and his name is Fu. &nbsp;He cooked us all this wonderful Chinese food that was so good! &nbsp;(I had a lot of good dinners this week!) He is such a great guy but doesn't know any Swedish and isn't great at English. &nbsp;It is really sad because we found out that he didn't know a lot about the commandments in the church like that alcohol was against the Word of Wisdom and that you are supposed to go to specifically our church on Sundays. &nbsp;I guess the missionaries who baptized him must have thought he understood everything. &nbsp;But he is super awesome and I really like meeting with him.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Sunday the highlights were getting to meet a recent convert and less active guy who loves computers and had like 11 terabytes of storage on his computer for gaming. &nbsp;My companion loved talking with him about computers. &nbsp;But we also got to have dinner with a very nice non member guy who usually comes to church just to "try his faith". &nbsp;His name is Peter and he is very strong in the Catholic church but we are still trying to find out more about him. &nbsp;Anyway we all had dinner with him and he made us some delicious ribs!</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That was pretty much the week, but also this week I have been trying to make sure that we do language study every day (because sometimes it doesn't happen with just being busy) and I really feel like the Lord has blessed me with better understanding of what people are saying! &nbsp;What I have been doing for language study is going through the Swedish-English dictionary and learning words that could be important and then quizzing myself on them frequently. &nbsp;Also I started to read the Book of Mormon in Swedish and then writing down key words that I don't understand! &nbsp;It is cool to be finally starting to feel comfortable!</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week I have started to see a ton of Christmas decorations! &nbsp;In the city there are big lights that hang down over the streets and look really cool. &nbsp;We also see Christmas trees set up all over the place! &nbsp;However, there is not a sign of snow coming. &nbsp;It is getting pretty cold but the weather has been great this week! &nbsp;I think it rained once and then another day was overcast and the rest of the days were sunny and beautiful. &nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So far the major industries I have seen here have been a little bit of the navy, and then there is a technological school too, so not really anything specific to a place by the sea. &nbsp;And we actually do see the sea every day because we live really close to it but it is just a little river basically. &nbsp;There are a ton of reeds by it and lots of birds live there. &nbsp;It doesn't really look like the ocean. &nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The main issues where we are that I can see, is that the branch covers a huge area and there are a few big cities that are far away so anyone that lives there and wants to come to church would have to travel a long way. &nbsp;But other than that, the branch/ward is small but it seems like a great area! &nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That is so fun that you guys all had a great Thanksgiving! &nbsp;That is awesome that you guys all ran a little 5K and that Grandpa could come down! &nbsp;I loved the picture of you all!! &nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So far there hasn't really been a food place that we frequent a lot. &nbsp;We go to this one kebab and pizza place every so often but its not nearly as good as in Gothenburg. &nbsp;I was excited to have the kebab down here because I heard it was better in the south but it isn't haha. &nbsp;Maybe in Malmö, but Gothenburg is my favorite for now! And the names of the missionaries in the area are me, my companion Elder Ogaard from Idaho; and then the two sister missionaries Sister B, from Spanish Fork, and then Sister R from Rexburg. &nbsp;They are all cool and fun to be with. &nbsp;</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I am glad to hear that Dad and Jake are being Clark and Russ and getting the house ready for Christmas! &nbsp;I will have to get some pictures! &nbsp;</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Also Mom that sounds like your lesson was so great! &nbsp;I really like that about individual testimonies and that through Christ our fears can be overcome! &nbsp;So good! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dad those football games sound insane! &nbsp;That is good that Utah won even though they are again, not eligible for a bowl. &nbsp;Also sick that Utah State is going to the Mountain West championship game! &nbsp;I am excited for them and to watch the game in a few years hahaha. &nbsp;But holy crap the Michigan Ohio game! &nbsp;That is insane! &nbsp;That sounds like a good ole Michigan Ohio rivalry game and Hoke reminds me of the old coaches that would try to win it rather than end the game in the tie (even though the seniors picked to go for it). &nbsp;I will have to watch that eventually! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Thank you all for being so nice and loving and supportive of me! &nbsp;I love you all and miss you and pray for you! &nbsp;Have a great week and I love you all!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">PS I got one of the Christmas packages! &nbsp;I almost accidently opened it hahaha but I didn't!</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-69360748021098429322013-12-09T15:15:00.000-08:002013-12-09T15:15:29.685-08:00November 25, 2013<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Family!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To start off, today in Karlskrona it is a beautiful day!&nbsp; The sun is out and there is not one&nbsp;cloud in the sky!&nbsp; The water of the sea and the streams and rivers is just so blue and makes it a great p-day.&nbsp; I am probably thinking it is really nice because basically everyday here is cloudy, it actually reminds me a lot of Michigan...I wonder if Sweden or Michigan has more cloudy days.&nbsp; As far as I can tell, Michigan and Sweden have the same weather patterns.&nbsp; Always cloudy and a long, cold winter with snow that might come by Christmas if you're lucky.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was ecstatic to hear that Brighton went to the state championship game!&nbsp; That is so awesome even though they lost.&nbsp; That is neat that Abby was able to go and that they played at Rice-Eccles!&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I am glad to hear Jake had a great birthday and got to do all that fun stuff.&nbsp; I really like that he got a "honey badger don't care" shirt.&nbsp; There was a football player from LSU who dyed the middle of his hair blond (kinda like a mohawk) and so people would always call him Honey Badger because honey badgers have a blondish stripe too and then he would always take the ball from the other team because "honey badger [didn't] care" hahaha.&nbsp; Hopefully that makes sense.&nbsp; Also Jake what are you going to do with the go-pro?! You need to send me all the videos that you make.&nbsp; Maybe we can set up a dropbox or something and then I could send all of my videos too :) That is really cool to hear about the sea scrolls too.&nbsp; So do they have all of the old and new testament mostly on them? Or less or more?&nbsp; But that is really cool.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Geez our poor sports teams...Good to hear that Utah State won but dang Utah needs to fix some things.&nbsp; And dang Iowa...they always play a tough game against us.&nbsp; Has Hoke lost at home yet?&nbsp; The only reason I am sad that BYU lost is because that makes Utah look worse too :(&nbsp; And so far on my mission I haven't starting leaning to BYU at all.&nbsp; Still a hardcore Ute :) in case you guys were wondering.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I hope you all have a great&nbsp;Thanksgiving especially with&nbsp;Grandpa!&nbsp; That will be a blast!&nbsp; We aren't doing anything special for&nbsp;Thanksgiving.&nbsp; We are actually&nbsp;teaching a guy from Guatemala that day that we haven't met and then a member from the branch&nbsp;from El Salvador is coming along too.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On Sunday we are going&nbsp;over to a members house for&nbsp;a Thanksgiving dinner which should be&nbsp;awesome.&nbsp; So I am sure that will be a good Thanksgiving here&nbsp;:)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Anyway&nbsp;a little&nbsp;about&nbsp;how my week has gone.&nbsp; It was a&nbsp;pretty good week.&nbsp; There never really is&nbsp;anything to complain about.&nbsp; Karlskrona is a cool place to be&nbsp;and I am always trying to get better at Swedish.&nbsp; So far it&nbsp;has been mostly cloudy&nbsp;but once every while we&nbsp;get a nice day, like today :). &nbsp; And even though the weather is cooling down quite a bit there is still no sign of snow yet :(.<span style="font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13px;">My new companion is good too.&nbsp; We really get along well and are able to get a lot of work done. &nbsp;He really wants to work hard which is great and I think now that we kinda know the place a little better we are going to have a great week this week.&nbsp; And he does miss playing video games, but he is the opposite of a sports gamer so&nbsp;</span>has never played NCAA football! &nbsp;He actually this morning told me all that you need to do to beat Minecraft :).&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 13px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I want to tell you guys two cool stories from this week.&nbsp; The first is pretty funny.&nbsp; So on Thursday we had our normal district meeting and all the members of the district are me and Elder Ogaard and then the two sisters in Karlskrona, Sister Bass and Randall.&nbsp; After the meeting we decided to go and grab some lunch.&nbsp; We went to go to&nbsp;a Swedish hamburger place called Max.&nbsp; However, the only problem was that only Sister Randall knew where it was and wasn't sure where the bus stop was that is closest to it.&nbsp; We got off and then had to walk all over the place crossing streets and walking on the side of the road because there weren't any sidewalks for some reason.&nbsp; Well we are walking and then in the far distance we see the sign for Max (one of those signs that went really high for people driving on the freeway).&nbsp; Instead of walking around on the streets to get there we see that to reach Max and our lunch we only need to cross this field for probably around half a mile.&nbsp; We all decide it wouldn't be hard to cross the field and get to Max quicker.&nbsp; Let me just describe the weather really fast: it was cloudy, not raining, but yesterday it had rained for pretty much the whole day.&nbsp; So the only problem with this field is that it has been cleared or whatever and is just dirt.&nbsp; We start going and realize it is a little wet and muddy and all do are best to avoid getting mud on our nice church shoes.&nbsp; We were all doing pretty good and then Sister Bass ran into a particularly wet spot.&nbsp; It was like thick quick sand and the mud swallowed her shoes and she was up to her shins in the mud, in her nice church clothes.&nbsp; After grabbing the shoes we all hurried out of this muddy field.&nbsp; It felt like one of those World War 1 or 2 movies where the soldiers are all muddy and they have to cross a battle field that has been all torn up from gun fire and is just mud.&nbsp; We all probably looked like crazy people when we got to Max.&nbsp; Lucky for me only a little bit of my shoes got muddy and I just cleaned them and shined them later and now they are good as new.&nbsp; :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The other story is a guy I met at the ward activity we went to on Saturday.&nbsp; I had met him once at the Göteborg Stake Conference, but found out he lives here in Karlskrona and goes up to nothern Göteborg every so often because he studies at a university there.&nbsp; He was baptized about a year and 3 months ago.&nbsp; There isn't actually much of a story but I just think he is such a cool person. &nbsp;He is a previous Muslim and just described to me a comparison between the Koran and Bible.&nbsp; He said that in the Koran there is a woman who has committed adultery and the prophet Mohammed says that she must be stoned.&nbsp; However, she is pregnant so he decides that they must delay her stoning until after the baby is born, and this is what happens.&nbsp; However in the Bible when they ask Jesus what they should do with the woman who has committed adultery and if they should stone her, he says any of you that have not sinned throw a stone.&nbsp; He said that Islam teaches to strike fear in the hearts of your enemies but Christianity and Mormonism teaches to love your neighbors.&nbsp; He doesn't understand how brain washed people can be to reject the message of love that is taught, and either do I!&nbsp; Anyway I thought that was very interesting and hopefully that is all correct.&nbsp; I think the interesting thing is that I have heard that Islam is the most similar religion to Mormonism but when it comes down to the basics they are completely opposite.&nbsp; Strange...</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hopefully that all makes sense I don't really want to go through and make sure it does.&nbsp; Have a great Thanksgiving and week!&nbsp; I love you all so much and miss you and love to hear from you!&nbsp; You are always in my prayers and make sure to tell Grandpa and Mollie and Mackensie that I love them and pray for them and miss them so much!&nbsp; Know that I am doing well and the Lord is blessing me so much and I am just so grateful for what a wonderful family I have!&nbsp; I can't think how it could possibly be any better!!&nbsp; I love you all!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Äldste Ward</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">PS How are all my grandparents doing?&nbsp; And Mollie and Lindsay and Moe&nbsp;and Brad and the Ali's and everyone else?&nbsp;</div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-87566756266295426072013-11-18T13:59:00.003-08:002013-11-18T13:59:59.793-08:00Mission life pics<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62L8w4sU9yk/UoqL6oBt2nI/AAAAAAAAH-s/Uh6UqIrO-pg/s1600/goteborg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62L8w4sU9yk/UoqL6oBt2nI/AAAAAAAAH-s/Uh6UqIrO-pg/s320/goteborg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from a glass elevator in Goteborg, in Swedish spell it Goteborg, and in English you spell it Gothenburg. &nbsp;Same city, which Elder Ward just got transferred out of.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh36Bx8sOgQ/UoqLyDB0DUI/AAAAAAAAH-k/tR4uHgOSqos/s1600/Christmas+tree+in+sweden%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh36Bx8sOgQ/UoqLyDB0DUI/AAAAAAAAH-k/tR4uHgOSqos/s320/Christmas+tree+in+sweden%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the little Christmas tree and advent calendar we sent him so he can enjoy it all season, it got there fast! &nbsp;I think that is his new companion Elder Ogaard, in the background.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOVAy5-Ctjw/UoqL6_r8H4I/AAAAAAAAH-0/VMfreeSTptk/s1600/picsfrom+Jake+an+estee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOVAy5-Ctjw/UoqL6_r8H4I/AAAAAAAAH-0/VMfreeSTptk/s320/picsfrom+Jake+an+estee.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow, impressive art by Jake and Estee, respectively.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lskPSGepr1E/UoqLxAjWgNI/AAAAAAAAH-c/OokEiY5Xjd8/s1600/Sunrisein+karlskrona.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lskPSGepr1E/UoqLxAjWgNI/AAAAAAAAH-c/OokEiY5Xjd8/s320/Sunrisein+karlskrona.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise in Karlskona, Sweden (southern part of Sweden)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cS1rwckg6vs/UoqLqPZ8aYI/AAAAAAAAH-U/GEhQW2DcmwM/s1600/Waitingforbusin+karlskrona.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cS1rwckg6vs/UoqLqPZ8aYI/AAAAAAAAH-U/GEhQW2DcmwM/s320/Waitingforbusin+karlskrona.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Ward waiting in a bus stop in Karlskrona, Sweden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-21315879483977909932013-11-18T13:46:00.001-08:002013-11-18T13:46:25.832-08:00November 18, 2013<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Dear Family,</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Thanks so much as always for writing me :) I do always love hearing the adventures you guys are having back home. &nbsp;But first off I got your package today and it was great! &nbsp;Thanks so much! &nbsp;Some pictures are attached of the Christmas tree and the advent calender and then me wearing the little crown thing that was in there too. &nbsp;Thanks so much for sending all the stuff that you did! I love you all! &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Anyway this week was a crazy week getting adjusted to our new area! &nbsp;My companion is named Elder Ogaard and he is from a little town in Idaho like 45 minutes from of Boise. &nbsp;He is a funny guy that loves to "game" (like video games) but we get along really well. &nbsp;Anyway, basically the rundown of the week was&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928490" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span>&nbsp;was my last day in Göteborg and then&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928491" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span>&nbsp;morning at&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928492" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6 AM</span></span>&nbsp;Elder Allsop had to be taken to the train station to catch his train. &nbsp;I said bye to him at the station and I am sure I will see him around. &nbsp;The rest of the day I was with the elders who I lived with who served in Kungsbacka (an area just south of Göteborg) and who are both going home in December. &nbsp;They are both awesome and funny guys and one is from England and was the AP when I arrived to Sweden. &nbsp;They are good successful missionaries! &nbsp;Anyway we actually had a pretty boring day just driving people to the train station but we did get to have some pizza hut buffet for lunch :). &nbsp;After I got on my train and had like a 3 hour train ride to a stop and then I had to get off and catch a bus and an hour later got to Karlskrona. &nbsp;The travel plans were that I was going to be waiting at the station from&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928493" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:30-9:30</span></span>&nbsp;for my companion to arrive and then the sisters in the area would give us the keys and stuff. &nbsp;Well at&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928494" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:20</span></span>&nbsp;the sisters got there and said that Elder Ogaard's train had been delayed (there was a freight train accident by Stockholm that screwed up some of the trains for the week) until&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928495" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10:30</span></span>. &nbsp;So we waited around and then at 11, he still wasn't there so after calling the missionary office and stuff they said wait there until 12 and then call President Newell. &nbsp;Well a little before&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928496" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">11:30</span></span>&nbsp;he got there and we caught the last bus to our apartment and then after a little difficulty found our apartment and were able to go to bed by 1. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Unfortunately the next day was a little crazy as well haha. &nbsp;We unpacked and got settled a little bit and then were able to check out the church and then we grabbed some kebab and got on a train BACK to Göteborg for a special zone training we were having with 4 other zones. &nbsp;So we got back late and I slept in the same apartment that I used to sleep in, just in a sleeping bag not a bed haha. &nbsp;(I still slept great!). Luckily we had some time before we had to catch the tram so I took my companion and the sister missionaries from Karlskrona to a glass elevator in a hotel which overlooks Liseberg, Gothenburg's theme park, which was all decked out for Christmas. &nbsp;It was really cool and now they all think that Göteborg is the coolest place ever (which it is pretty cool). &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sh47dLmSzXg/UoqIWopv-3I/AAAAAAAAH-I/rmNZ9sphkmA/s1600/From+the+glass+elevator+in+Goteborg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sh47dLmSzXg/UoqIWopv-3I/AAAAAAAAH-I/rmNZ9sphkmA/s320/From+the+glass+elevator+in+Goteborg.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the glass elevator in Goteborg.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">The next day (<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928497" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span>), we had the zone training and it was pretty good. &nbsp;We got to meet most of the missionaries in my zone, and President and Sister Newell were there and President had an interview with me and asked how everything was going and stuff and said that the plan is that next transfer the plan is that I will be training one of the new missionaries who come in! &nbsp;Crazy! &nbsp;Of course plans change often but I was surprised that he thought that I was ready enough in 6 weeks. &nbsp;I also think that is really cool that he thinks that about me! &nbsp;Anyway that night we, for my third day in a row, took the 4 hour trip from Göteborg to Karlskrona. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Yesterday at church was pretty good I guess. &nbsp;I bore my testimony in sacrament and told a little about myself to everyone. Elder Ogaard previously told the branch president that he is the man to call if they ever need someone to give a talk so of course he was asked to give a 20 minute talk&nbsp;<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1551928498" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span>. &nbsp;But his attitude about public speaking was really good: "it is actually great to public speak because no one can stop you from talking for as long as you want". &nbsp;I thought that was a great way to look at it and humorous. &nbsp;We also got to teach a lesson to a primary class. &nbsp;I am super lucky and fortunate that the Lord helps me so much with Swedish! &nbsp;Learning a language is really hard but I am getting there :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">The weather here is not too bad still. &nbsp;It is not a whole lot warmer down here than Gothenburg but I feel like it is noticeably warmer. &nbsp;I think all of Sweden just rains a lot :/ hahaha. &nbsp;Still no sight of snow.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Dad those are some cool facts about Karlskrona. &nbsp;There are a bunch of islands in the area and a lot are connected by bridges from what I can tell from the maps. &nbsp;I honestly don't know too much about it and I haven't been able to see much of it yet, but 30,000 people sounds like a correct number. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Also really neat that you met a person from Sweden! &nbsp;That is way cool that they have a cabin on the Baltic Sea! &nbsp;Way neat! &nbsp;I think it would be really cool if I could go to the far north (although that is mainly because I want to see the northern lights!). &nbsp;I have also heard that the fjords in Norway are really neat. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">That sounds like a pretty crazy sports week. &nbsp;Too bad to hear about Utah losing to Oregon, but at the same time glad they stuck in there for as long as they did. &nbsp;Also good to hear the Jazz won finally. &nbsp;I hope Trey Burke gets healthy soon but mostly I hope that he is still playing for the Jazz when I get home! &nbsp;And way to go finally for Michigan! &nbsp;That sounds like a nerve racking game! &nbsp;It also sounds like a pretty sloppy game. &nbsp;But that is awesome that they won!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">That is hilarious about Abby and Huckleberry Finn, It reminds me of the time when I wrote in the middle of a paper for Financial Literacy: "I doubt this sentence will be noticed, but if it is circle it" and then I got the paper back graded and that sentence not circled hahahahaha. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">But Abby is just so smart. &nbsp;That is sweet that she was able to pull out the 4.0 despite the challenges! I am happy to hear that she is destroying in chemistry too. Keep working hard Abby! &nbsp;When do you take the ACT? :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">And also congrats Jake. &nbsp;Keep working hard too :) &nbsp;You are way smart (just like your older sibings hehehe) and are awesome! &nbsp;Have a great birthday and I am so sorry I didn't send you anything :(. &nbsp;Have fun skiing (you little turd, I can't believe mom is letting you get out of school!!) with dad and get ready to teach me how to do it in 2 years! &nbsp;Good luck with Junior Jazz season! &nbsp;I loved your drawing you drew in the package I just got too :) haha</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Good to hear that Estee is making friends and having a blast with school, ping pong and chess hahaha. &nbsp;Estee you are awesome! &nbsp;Keep being the great girl you are :)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">That sounds like a neat movie about the guy on the ship. &nbsp;It is so true about life. &nbsp;Never is everything perfect and we always have tasks to accomplish. &nbsp;Luckily like you said we always have help and need never fear. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">And yes we are still spending time at the church every week to do family history work. &nbsp;This week I found a story about one of the Holmsteads (I think it was Eric) who came from Sweden and one point in the journey the ship was going slow and he said that he could swim faster than the ship was going and then someone dared him to do so. &nbsp;So he jumped off the back and swam all the way to the front when the crew pulled him in and the captain threatened that he might have to put him in chains! &nbsp;A crazy story!<span style="font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>How is Grandma doing health wise? &nbsp;I pray for them and will continue to do it! &nbsp;Awesome that you tell Grandma that I am on a mission in Sweden and remind her every time. &nbsp;I want them to know! :)</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Thank you all for all the nice things you guys do for me and always writing me and sending me letters and packages and just being such a nice and loving family. &nbsp;I can't think of a better family! &nbsp;You guys are the best and I love you all so much. &nbsp;I miss you and can't wait to hear from you again. &nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Love,</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Äldste Ward</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RhDX_mpJ0E/UoqGbDH9x6I/AAAAAAAAH98/F29FZxgsg8s/s1600/Turkeyfromhome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RhDX_mpJ0E/UoqGbDH9x6I/AAAAAAAAH98/F29FZxgsg8s/s320/Turkeyfromhome.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">Pictures of what I hung up on the wall today</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HMJ5gqI_ZQ/UoqGSXLI1yI/AAAAAAAAH90/Hd_cRKktWF8/s1600/Andymission.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HMJ5gqI_ZQ/UoqGSXLI1yI/AAAAAAAAH90/Hd_cRKktWF8/s320/Andymission.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">A little crown I wore today from a package I got (I hope it was a crown :)&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5763626469503327161.post-14131065109018833582013-11-17T18:22:00.001-08:002013-11-17T18:22:49.782-08:00Transfer to Karlskrona!!<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr">Dear Family,<div><br /></div><div>This week we got a call from our mission president on Friday to tell us that Elder Allsop is being transferred and that I am also being moved! &nbsp;I move to a place called Västerås on Wednesday. &nbsp;It sounds like a nice place and is just a little northwest of Stockholm and in the Stockholm North zone. Actually Elder Allsop will be the new zone leader there. &nbsp;Cool! &nbsp;It was really nice yesterday at our last day at church because of all the nice things that people said to us. &nbsp;It made us feel like we did a good job in the area which was a great feeling. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Also my Swedish is getting a lot better and I am getting a lot more confident with it. &nbsp;On Wednesday there was a missionary leadership conference in Stockholm and Elder Allsop had to go up as our district leader. &nbsp;I went on splits with the neighboring district's DL's companion. &nbsp;His companion was named Elder Williams and he has only been out in Sweden six weeks less than I have so it was really good practice for my Swedish because I had to do a lot of the talking. &nbsp;It is still hard to understand the native speakers sometimes but usually I can understand and say what I want to say. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Some stories from this week were first on Thursday we went and had dinner with (one of) the Malm families (all are actually children of the general authority from Sweden, Per Malm in the 2nd quorum of the 70). &nbsp; The husband is a heart doctor, &nbsp;we had a lot of fun with them and had a fun dinner after. &nbsp;They are a really nice family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also on Friday we went with our investigator, Arthur, the nearly blind, old, American, nice guy who worked with drug rehabilitation people, to a place he said was a cheap lunch and would buy for us. &nbsp;It turns out it was an old church where the lunch was really cheap because it was to help homeless and like those who are trying to overcome addictions and stuff. &nbsp;Well it was all pretty good except for there was this crazy guy in there who freaked out and was yelling and threw his coffee cup across his table and then stormed out and grabbed a little metal book shelf thing for papers and threw it on the ground. &nbsp;I was thinking why he wanted us to go there. &nbsp;But anyway it was fine and the lunch was fine and we went to a different part of the church and had a lesson with Arthur and his friend. &nbsp;It was a really cool lesson. &nbsp;Arthur asked us about the scripture in the Bible that talks about not adding to God's word and we turned to 2 Nephi 29 where it says that God gives more nations his word so that when they are put together they are God's word and prove that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. &nbsp;He also asked about the scripture in the Bible that says watch out for false prophets (like in the church movie Legacy) and we told him the same answer that is given in the Legacy movie which is that you will also know them by their works and then he talks about the Book of Mormon and we did the same. &nbsp;It was a cool lesson.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other highlights from the week include getting a Göteborg specialty- called the halv special. &nbsp;It is a hot dog with mashed potatoes on it and it was actually pretty good. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>It was great to hear from all of you. &nbsp;I do not know what pigs say in Sweden haha but that is funny that they make a different noise. &nbsp;I also heard that bees make a different sound as well because they don't really have a z noise so they don't go bzzzz. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>A kebab pizza is typically a thin crust pizza (they only have thin crust here) with a bunch of kebab meat (I'm not really sure what it is, I think it is lamb) and then kebab sauce on it. &nbsp;I have come to realize that putting fries on it is more of a missionary thing, unfortunately because the fries on it are really good. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>We haven't checked out Volvo yet and we probably won't because this is our last day :/. &nbsp;But a member in the ward works for them and actually we were talking about Volvo cars and stuff a little bit. &nbsp;But I don't know much about them other than that they have a factory here and that there are a ton of Volvo cars here so I am guessing that most Swedes really like Volvo as their car company!</div><div><br /></div><div>That is too bad to hear that the week has been stressful. &nbsp;Know that you all are always in my prayers and I will make sure to pray these upcoming weeks especially. &nbsp;But Dad that is really cool to hear about that cool case you got with the guy who got hit with the arrow, even though that is so ridiculous that that happened. &nbsp;So will he be able to use his face again with the nerve all sewed up? &nbsp;Also Dad congrats, or in Swedish, Grattis!, that you got to go and do that faculty course that was held in Salt Lake! &nbsp;I am sorry to hear it was a little stressful though. &nbsp;I think your job is so cool and amazing and how hard you work is such an example to me and I am so lucky to have you as my Dad!</div><div><br /></div><div>And no getting the sports news isn't depressing at all. &nbsp;It is just good to know how well our teams are doing! &nbsp;And I when I have some free time when I come home will be able to watch highlights from a few games or something :) Too bad to hear about Michigan and Utah and the Jazz though...</div><div><br /></div><div><div>My companion is doing great and my roommates are doing great too. &nbsp;They both go home next month so are excited to be going home. &nbsp;The sisters are also doing great and are great missionaries!</div><div><br /></div><div>So far I haven't seen any Swedish lines on Mom's side yet. &nbsp;I have been able to find Norwegian and Danish lines so far though which is pretty cool. &nbsp;Swedes can understand Norwegian and can usually get the main idea of Danish, or so I am told.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't think I need any of those sad lights, but I am going a little more north now so I will keep you updated. &nbsp;How exactly do they work? Thanks for watching out for me :)</div><div><br /></div><div>So as I was writing the very end of this email I received another call from President Newell that said that some things have changed and that I am now going to a beautiful place in South eastern Sweden called Karlskrona. &nbsp;He said some very nice things about me which were great to hear, like they needed someone who could come into a place and hit the ground running and immediately be effective and someone that could leave in December (the transfer in December is just a few days before Christmas) and not have any drama. &nbsp;I told him I was their man haha. &nbsp;He also said I was the most pliable that they could think of or something like that. &nbsp;I am excited to go there! &nbsp;So remember that I am not going to Västerås anymore, I am going to Karlskrona :)</div><div><br /></div><div>&nbsp;I love you all and miss you and pray for each of you and hope that you all have a great week! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div><br /></div><div>Äldste Ward</div></div></div></blockquote><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Janiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05441238857009156673noreply@blogger.com0